Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, 8 May 2025, making history as the first pope from the United States.
At his first appearance as Pope, Leo XIV was dressed in more traditional papal attire than his predecessor, the newly elected Leo XIV smiled and waved to the jubilant crowds in St. Peter’s Square. At moments, he appeared visibly moved, holding back tears as he blessed the assembled faithful, proclaiming confidently in Italian: “Peace be with you all!”
Born on 14 September 1955 in Chicago, Monsignor Prevost, now aged 69, is of Italian, French and Spanish descent. He studied at the Augustinian minor seminary in Michigan and obtained a degree in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania.
He officially joined the Order of St. Augustine in 1978, making his solemn vows in 1981. He was ordained a priest in June 1982 after completing his theological studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Following his ordination, he pursued a doctorate in canon law at Rome’s Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum), earning his degree in 1987.
Prevost briefly returned to Chicago that year to serve as pastor for vocations and director of missions for the Midwest Augustinians. Soon after, he was sent to Peru, where he worked in various roles for a decade, including serving as a regional ecclesiastical judge and teaching canon law at the diocesan seminary in Trujillo.
Prevost was elected head of the Augustinian Province of Chicago in 1999, and returned to the U.S. before being chosen as prior general of the Augustinians in 2001. He was re-elected in 2007, leading the order until 2013.
In 2014, he was appointed apostolic administrator of Chiclayo in 2014 and was ordained Bishop of the same diocese in 2015. His contributions in Peru led to further appointments, including membership in the Dicastery for the Clergy in 2019 and the Dicastery for Bishops in 2020.
By 2023, Pope Francis named Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, entrusting him with significant responsibilities, including overseeing the selection of diocesan bishops worldwide and in the investigation of allegations against bishops.
Pope Leo XIV at Inauguration Mass
Leo became the Roman Pontiff at the moment of his acceptance in the Sistine Chapel upon being elected in the 2025 papal conclave. The Mass for his inauguration, which was celebrated on Sunday, 18 May in St Peter’s Square made him the 267th successor of Peter and Bishop of Rome and officially marked the beginning of his pontificate. The liturgy included the bestowal of the pallium and Ring of the Fisherman, two elements with profound theological and pastoral significance. The event was attended by some 200,000 people, including dozens of world leaders and 150 formal state delegations.
The beginning of his pontificate also includes the canonical taking possession of the three other papal basilicas: Saint Mary Major, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, and Saint John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome and therefore of the Pope, an event that will take place on 25 May 2025. By its distinctive character, it defines the Holy Father as such, or rather, it reminds us that he is the Bishop of Rome.
As the Church joyfully welcomes His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, our Congregation of the Holy Spirit humbly lifts its prayers for him, beseeching the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit to illuminate his Petrine Ministry. May his leadership be steadfast in faith, unwavering in service, and inspired by divine grace as he shepherds the faithful with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering devotion to the mission entrusted to him as the successor of Saint Peter.
